I was struck with the disease “analysis paralysis” since the middle of May when I was giving serious thought to a cover for my book.  I did much research and came to find many different points of view from others.  Some of you may also remember I took a poll on Facebook and my blog quite awhile back asking my followers and readers to “vote” between two photos I was considering- one of which is the one I ultimately chose, and the other was a shot of just Frankie herself.  Close to 400 of you chose the cover that I finally decided on.

But to be honest, for awhile I almost wanted to chuck it all and say, forget it. I was frozen in trying to make a decision because I didn’t want to make the wrong choice. And here is why:

As I was making great progress with my book two things happened.  First, I had the opportunity to ask an expert in the field of independent publishing his thoughts about using the photo for the cover. He told me he didn’t feel it was the right choice and said, “Even as attractive as the author is in the picture.”  I asked him if he was willing to work with me in designing a cover, but his schedule was full. But he referred me to two other cover designers. One never got back to me, but the other book cover expert did.  I shared with her the photo and said the other expert didn’t feel I should use it and I asked for her thoughts.  She didn’t entirely agree with expert one.  hmmmmm, I thought.  But I didn’t end up hiring her because she didn’t fit my budget.

Then as you all know, Frankie passed away. That put everything on hold as I moved through the grieving process. I really had no energy to put into my book and felt it important to honor the time I needed to grieve.  I’m grateful I did just that.

Later in the summer I was ready to proceed again.  I came up with a plan C which was to have a local photographer take a new photo of me, facing the camera, and have her photoshop the “new me”  in place next to Frankie of the existing photo I wanted to use. The last expert I had talked to said she thought my existing photo was good, but could I get a new shot of more of my face showing? So that was the reason for me doing this new shoot.  When I mentioned this to my marketing mentor she just wasn’t sure about the photoshop idea.  So she came up with plan D for me. Use the same photo but have a new head shot done of me designed into a oval and placed on the cover along with existing photo.  I was excited to have two options and move forward.

The morning of the photo shoot I was driving to the photographers studio and something didn’t feel right to me.  I then heard a voice in my head and heart that said, “Don’t do the photoshop idea (plan C).” I actually felt kind of sick to my stomach thinking about it.  I shared my concerns with the photographer and she said, “What is your gut telling you?” I said, “Not to do it.” So I scrapped plan C and hoped plan D would work.  I also realized that having a new me photo shopped into the current photo went so against what my book is about.  It was not authentic and I couldn’t bear the thought of doing something that felt “in-authentic.”

Well to get to the final results, I ended up hiring book cover designer, Derek Murphy of Creative Indie. I researched him months before and he fit my budget.  I gave him all the feedback I had gotten, plus the rough layout of plan D. I shared with him my concerns about the original photo and he helped to make the photo even better by cropping it so it didn’t look like I was missing my right arm, which bothered me.  Also with cropping it closer it shows more of my face which I feel better about.   I had about eight other cover designs he did for me. But after giving it all very serious thought, the poll I had done, as well as the research, I felt confident with my choice.  And honestly the bottom line for me was listening to my heart and following that. I also realized there are always, always going to be differing opinions… even among experts!

It was actually a huge relief to me to have finally chosen the cover (as I’m sure it was to John and my mom as they were my sounding boards)! I realized I had gotten stuck in “analysis paralysis.”  I also realized at some point no matter when we are making a choice we just have to make a choice.  If in our heart we feel really good about that choice, then it really should be what we follow.

I”m grateful for you my dear readers, as well as my followers on Facebook who  took the time to vote in my poll and most of all,  I’m so glad my heart whispered to me to do what I felt was right.